After graduating from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Informatics, I joined FCBHealth New York as a Junior UX Architect, creating deliverables like sitemaps, wireframes, and functional specs.
Beyond the surface, I am fueled by a dedication to social good, which I got to put into action last summer as a UX Design Intern at USAFacts, an organization empowering data-driven understanding of the U.S. through government data. There, I spearheaded a project redesigning their search experience to be more efficient and effective in helping Americans find unbiased facts. Learn more in my case study!
I am also passionate about the intersection of education and technology, which I got to explore as a Student UX Designer for the Academic Experience Design & Delivery team at UW-IT. There, I worked to improve digital experiences for students and professors by streamlining the major discovery and application process, as well as taking the lead on a website redesign project (learn more!). I even tried my hand at front-end development! It was fun to dip my toes into EdTech for the first time.
When I'm not immersed in design, you can catch me doing a variety of things. Scroll down to learn more about me!
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So.. Why UX design?
Great question! Let me take you back to my elementary school days, when I joined a FIRST Lego League robotics team. Over the span of a decade, I tinkered, engineered, programmed, collaborated, CAD modeled, 3D printed, and even drove the robot. Despite this immersive exposure, I craved something more people-focused.
What did resonate, however, was the dynamic atmosphere and the capacity for innovation that surrounded me. The camaraderie of like-minded individuals collaborating to solve problems was invigorating.
So in college, I searched for a similar feeling, which I ended up finding in INFO 200: Foundations of Informatics. Where, with a team, I designed my first app. I got to interview users and truly felt like our product was going to make a difference in people’s lives. That's when my spark for UX ignited – the perfect blend of empathy, creativity, and innovation.
I found a similar sense of fulfillment during my Mobile Application Design class, where I made EquOS (check out my case study!). This course held special significance for me as it marked my return to in-person learning after the COVID-19 pandemic. The prospect of collaborating face-to-face once again stirred a mix of excitement and nerves within me. Moreover, it was my first experience of in-person collaboration since my entry into the major.
On the first day of class, we were told to split into groups of about 7 people. Gazing around the room, I found myself amidst unfamiliar faces, yet luck was on my side. Among these faces, I recognized Anna, a fellow Informatics major who I had chatted with online when we both got accepted to the major. She invited me to join her group, which set the stage for what would become the most enriching quarter of my college journey.
Our team's synergy was nothing short of remarkable – a harmonious blend of collaboration, mutual encouragement, and unbridled creativity. We were all passionate designers but through our work together, we achieved something that exceeded our individual capabilities. Through this shared experience, life-long friendships were formed. This pivotal experience showed the potency of collaboration and the power it holds.
For our final presentation, my team and I dressed like Steve Jobs because his product presentations are so iconic.
As much as I would love to design all the time, I maintain balance by exploring other interests when my nose isn’t buried in Figma.
In 2023, I started Made By Deli, my very own small business. I grew up watching studio vlogs on Youtube, of artists running their Etsy shops and always dreamed of the day I would get to create my own physical products. Finally, I got the courage to try my hand at making stickers and prints. I use Procreate on my iPad to create art that is an expression of myself and my imagination. I then printed stickers on campus at the UW Makers Space and brought them to my first art market at my university. I’ve participated in a few more markets since, and plan to continue to make products and attend markets. If I get enough interest, I might even start an Etsy!
Artist
Reader
Berlin, Germany
In middle school, I was constantly getting book recommendations from the school librarian and read multiple books at a time. Now, like most people, I’m trying to bring back that reading habit, and over the past two years, it’s finally starting to stick. Last year, I read 10 books and in 2023, my goal is to double that. Here are a couple of my favorites from the past few years…
I’ve always loved to travel, try new foods, explore new places, and learn about new cultures. This past summer I had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of spending 7 weeks traveling, and visiting 8 incredible countries (Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France, Finland, Estonia and Latvia). Next year I’m hoping to travel to Peru to hike the Inca trail!
Brussels, Belgium
Traveler
Copenhagen, Denmark
Gamer
“Can we have a family game night?”
As a kid, I was notorious for begging my sisters and parents to play board games with me, and even sometimes played multi-player games alone (or with my stuffed animals). I grew up playing the Oregon Trail and ZooTycoon, and now, to no one’s surprise, I’m an avid gamer. Whether it’s board games, card games, tabletop RPGs, e-sports, platformers, simulators, or open-world RPGs, I’ve probably dipped my toes.
Recently I’ve been loving to play Valorant with my friends, even though I’m not very good - I love the competitive nature of the game. On nights that I’m feeling a little more introverted, I’ll curl up on my couch playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. With many unfinished single player games in my library (BOTW included), I’m really trying my best to finish this one.
Middle of Nowhere, Finland
Paris, France
Testimonials
"Delaney is a talented designer, a delight to collaborate with, and an inspiring engine of self-motivation who regularly jumped on work that would take her out of her comfort zone while learning new skills quickly to deliver quality results. She is a pleasure to work with and brings a spirit of continual improvement, thoughtfulness and curiosity that provides great value to the projects and teams that she works on."
-Jason Civjan (Manager at UW-IT)
"I enthusiastically recommend Delaney for her outstanding time management skills and ability to handle multiple tasks while maintaining top-notch quality. Her exceptional design abilities translate into a consistent flow of professional-grade ideas and designs. Delaney's work ethic, attention to detail, and creativity make her an invaluable asset to any team"
-Mark Thinnes (Manager at USAFacts)